St. Matthew, Chapter 24, verse: 2; Temple destruction.

Our paragraph topic is: (Christ foretells the Temple's destruction) Part 2.  
Many came to the city to marvel at the construction and beauty.  They came from near and far because they had heard of Jerusalem's beauty.  They wanted to see it.  They wanted to know it.  They wanted to hear of the history and the culture that caused such a city to be built.  So they came from all nations and tribes, from north and south, east and west to see this great city.  They wanted to learn so they could take that knowledge back to their own cultures.

And the Jews were proud of this fact that the people from all over the known world were coming to Jerusalem to see the majesty of their great city.  The disciples wanted Christ to see all there was of this great city.  They wanted to show him around to all the different parts.  But Christ did not see greatness.  All he saw was destruction.  All he saw was ruin.  "But he answered and said to them, 'Do you see all these things?  Amen I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.' "

And so it was that destruction was in his sight and not the beauty that was in the eyes of the disciples.  They were proud.  He was sadden.  They were joyful.  He was heart broken.  They could only see the here and now.  He saw the future and the destruction that was taking place even as they spoke because it was happening before their eyes and they could not see.  

What we see and what we do not see is what we are given to see or not see.  We are given to see the things around us because they are there every day.  We look for them and they are there.  We are not given to see those things that are not there.  They may be there but we are not given to see them.  That doesn't mean that they are not there it's just that we are not given to see them because we don't ordinarily look for them.  They could be right in front of our face and we do not see them because we are not looking for them.  

Christ sees all and knows all, past , present, and future.  He sees us in our daily lives and our daily struggles.  We are his body and together he provides for all, protects all.  We know not where we are going.  We only know that day by day we will eventually get there.  He will carry us through if we call upon his name to see us through.  We are not given to see the outcome of these things but our belief tells us that we can see that he is with us.  We ask him for help with our problems and though they may not get solved according to our time frame, they do get solved if we leave them in his hands.  

Thank you God for that which we cannot see that we know that is there for us.  Thank you Christ for being there for us to help us along the way.  Thank you Holy Spirit for being our guide every day when we need someone to lean on to help us along the way.   

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 19; The Coin.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 7.  

Christ knew nothing of money.  He had none.  His kingdom was not of this world.  His father provided all his needs and he lacked for nothing.  His lodging was provided for.  His food was given to him through his disciples.  He had clothing.  He had friends and followers who cared for his every need.  So he had no need for the trappings of the average person who sought to have wealth and money and valuables. 

But the Herodians sought to bring this concern to him so that they might have his thoughts on the earthly desires of who mankind should serve.  They asked Christ should man give tribute to Caesar.  Christ in turn asked:  "Show me the coin of the tribute." So they offered him a denarius.  

They offered him a coin with the face of Caesar so they could determine if he would say give tribute to Caesar.  By saying such he would be telling the people to not give tribute to their God as they were given to do for centuries.  For it was their duty as Jews to give tithes to the temple to support the synagogues throughout the years as members of the Jewish faith.  Yet here they were, the Herodians, seeking to get Christ so say otherwise.  But he knew of their trickery.  He knew of their wickedness and he saw through their schemes to trap him.  

They did not know who was before them.  They believed that Christ was an ordinary man, that he was a fake, a fraud, seeking to mislead the people.  The Torah had foretold of the coming of the Messiah.  It spoke of what he would do when he came.  Yet they did not believe or understand that he was the one who had come.  Others were able to see.  Others were able to hear the words that filled their hearts.  Others were able to believe within themselves that he was the One and their hearts were filled with the joy of a lifetime.  Yet there were those who could only believe that he was a fake or a fraud, that he sought to mislead, sought to take away their power and cause trouble for them.

Blessed were they who knew.  Blessed were they who were able to walk in the light.  Blessed were they who were able to hear the words that filled their hearts with joy.  Blessed were they who had such an opportunity in their lifetime to believe in what their hearts told them was the truth.  And blessed will you be when your eyes are opened and your ears hear and you are healed and walk in the light of the Lord.  No longer will you walk in darkness.  No longer will you stumble and fall.  No longer will you loose your way because he will be with you at all times.  He will light your way and guide you along the path of your journey.  Come!  Step out of the darkness into the light.  Become the child of God that you are.  He awaits you.  Christ awaits you.  The angels rejoice at your rebirth.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ .   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.